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Anxiety and its terrifying sister, panic, can interrupt your life. From occasional worry to debilitating episodes in which one becomes unable to function, these present a continuum of concern. People who live with these as chronic conditions suffer not only with the symptoms but also with the dread of symptoms returning.

Medication can help quite a bit; however, many of these, if used over an extended period of time, can cause physiological dependence. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax, Valium and Klonopin help many people, but this class of drug can be most difficult for some to manage. They are abusable' medications-that is, the immediate effects of these drugs are pleasant and mood-altering. Also, taking more than prescribed will increase the effect. For some who have struggled to feel calm and in control, it can be tempting to use more than prescribed or at a different schedule than is prescribed. Some become psychologically dependent upon these medications as well, not wanting to try to cope without them. In this latter case, new skills for managing anxiety and panic cannot be practiced as effectively.

Withdrawal from benzodiazepines also requires medical supervision in order to be safe. Seizures can occur if the medication is discontinued abruptly or tapered too quickly. Other symptoms of withdrawal include sweating, insomnia, nausea, heart palpitations, muscle aches and spasms, tremors and headaches. Many people will say that withdrawal feels like anxiety and/or panic itself. Typically, a physician will gradually taper these medications until they are entirely discontinued. Tapering allows the body to adjust to the drug withdrawal and averts the discomfort of these types of symptoms.

Besides medications there are many ways to cope with anxiety and panic. Of course, the severity of the problem, and how much of one's life that is impaired, will determine how effective any of these can be. Providing someone who suffers from anxiety or panic with a menu of techniques is probably most helpful. That way the individual can try several, see what is most beneficial and well-suited to him or her.

Thought-stopping can help with some practice of the techniques. These techniques are intended to stop intrusive and worrisome thoughts. A very simple one that everybody seems to be able to relate to is the use of a STOP sign. To do this, review all the visual elements of this traffic sign: it is an octagon, it is red with white letters and a white border, all the letters of the

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